Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Dearborn, MI
🏆 Carrollton leads 15 of 22 categories
Carrollton
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284 ✓ Larger
Dearborn
Michigan
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,600
Violent Crime Index
77
Population
108,414
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
53% less violent crime than Dearborn
Households earn $30,780 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 32°F
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Dearborn
Dearborn, MI
Pros
Homes cost $138k less ($189,400 vs $327,300)
Rent averages $350/mo less ($1,205 vs $1,555)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $30,780/yr
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$30,780
$95,380 vs $64,600/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
53% lower
137.1 vs 292.6 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.8% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
10.7°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 83.6°F
Dearborn
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Dearborn
Median Home Value
$138k less
$189,400 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Dearborn, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $189,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $1,205 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $64,600 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 21.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 9.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 84 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 77 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 95 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 34.8% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% ✓ Higher | 85.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Dearborn City School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 32.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" | 35.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 30.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 ✓ Larger | 108,414 |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 32.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 69.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 28.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 12.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Dearborn's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Dearborn is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 15 of 22 categories. Carrollton wins 15 and Dearborn wins 7. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carrollton to Dearborn or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $189,400 median home), income ($95,380 vs $64,600), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Dearborn, MI are about 986 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.